IndianMascot
Core Member
When demand exceeds supply, chances are, the consumer is fleeced. That is what is happening with cable TV consumers in the city.
With the Conditional Access System (CAS) for television all set to become mandatory in Bangalore from March 31, there is a mad rush for Set Top Boxes (STBs). STB is a vital component for CAS. And some unscrupulous cable operators are cashing in on the demand by inflating the STB price by Rs 800 to Rs 1,000. This has left customers with only two choices: Pay Rs 2,000 for a STB or forget access to TV channels.
Srivatsa S, a techie working in Hebbal, said, “I recently bought a 3D TV. When I asked my cablewallah for a STB, he said it would cost Rs 2,000. He then added that I would get the STB after a month if I paid today. When I asked him why STBs were priced so high, he pointed to the unusually high demand and insufficient supply.”
Chandan G, another techie residing in T Dasarahalli area, said, “When I asked my cablewallah for a STB, he quoted the price as Rs 1,000. I was ready to pay that amount. However, a week later, I was shocked when he hiked the price to Rs 1,500. When I asked him why, he said there were many people willing to pay that amount. So, if I want a STB, I need to pay that amount.”
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